Combined rural-mail-delivery cabinet and heater.



' J. W. WALKER. COMBINED RURAL MAIL DELIVERY CABINET AND HEATER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 14, 1908.

904,740. Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

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904,740. Patented Nov. 24. 1908.

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COMBINED RURAL-MAIL-DE LIVE RY CABIN E T AND HE ATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed May 14, 1908. Serial No. 432,945.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN WV. \VALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarinda, in the county of Page and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Rural- Mail-Delivery Cabinet and Heater; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in combined rural mail delivery cabinets and heaters.

The object of the inventionis the production of a simple device of this kind, in which the mail to be delivered along a route may be conveniently placed, and stamps, postal cards and other accessories placed within convenient reach and in separate compartments.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heater, which may also serve as a support for the cabinet.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional view, the protective casings swung open; and Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the plane indicated by the dotted lines l% of Fig. 3.

In the embodiment illustrated, the numeral 1 indicates a flat rectangular tank provided at each end with an upright semi circular foot warming portion 2, each of which is provided with a suitable valve opening 8 to permit the tank to be supplied with water.

In carrying out the invention, a base 4 of box like formation is mounted upon the tank between the semi-circular portions 2 thereof, and mounted upon said base is an upright supporting frame 5 comprising straight flat side pieces 6, connected at their upper ends by a handle consisting of laterally spaced wires 7, connected by the cross piece 8.

A flexible guide 9 is attached to the upper end and inner face of each of the side pieces, as at 10, the lower or free ends of the guides extending through corresponding apertures or openings formed in the top 11 of the base I, and being adjustably connected by a buckle 11. A clamp 12 preferably consisting of a flat cross piece is mounted to slide upon the guide members, said clamp being formed near each end with a longitudinally extending slot or guide opening 13 to receive the flat body portions 14 of suitable clamping members, the outer ends of each of which are bent outwardly to form engaging portions 15 to engage the flexible guides, and the inner ends of which are also bent outwardly to form finger pieces 16 adapted to be grasped by the operator to disengage the engaging portions 15 of the clamping members from the flexible guides to readjust the clamp. An upright lug or extension 17 is formed on the clamp between the finger pieces 16 and constitutes a stop to limit the inward movement of the clamping members let, the engaging portions 15 of the latter being normally held in engaged relation with the flexible guides by the action of a spring 18 interposed between the finger pieces. A suitable box or receptacle 1 9 is arranged on the outer face of one of the side pieces and serves as a money till, and a suitable casing 20 is arranged beneath said box or receptacle to receive the money order book or the like. A pencil-holder 21 is arranged adjacent to the casing 20. A casing 22 is arranged at the opposite side piece of the supporting frame and is preferably divided into two compartments by partitions 23, each of which is designed to receive stamps. The numeral 24: indicates a suitable box or casing which is arranged beneath the casing 22 to receive postal cards. An upright protective casing of an approximately U-shaped form is pivotally mounted upon the base 4, at each side of the upright supporting frame in position to incase or entirely inclose the various boxes or receptacles heretofore mentioned for receiving stamps, postal cards, etc, a cover 26 being pivotally connected or supported by each of the side pieces in position to incase the upper ends of the casings 25. A suitable receptacle or box 27 is arranged at the lower end of each of the casings to receive mail, postal cards and the like.

In practice, the mail is arranged between the side pieces of the upright supporting frame, properly assorted, and the clamp 12 adjusted to securely clamp mail in position. To deliver mail along the route, the clamp is raised with one hand and the desired letters or papers removed by the other hand. The

protective casings 95 are normally held in closed position by the covers 16 and protect the various boxes or receptacles in which the stamps, postal cards, etc., are placed against rain, snow or the like. The tank 1 may be supplied with hot water or heated by any suitable means.

, From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation'of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a supporting base, of an upright guide frame consisting of spaced side pieces mounted thereon, flexible guiding elements arranged between the side pieces of the frame and a mail clamp mounted between the guiding elements.

2. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a supporting base, of an upright supporting frame consisting of side pieces mounted thereon, upright guide elements connected with the upper ends of the side pieces and extending the full length of the same, a mail clamp adjustably mounted to slide upon the guide elements and adjusting means for the clamp, consisting of longitudinally movable clamping members formed with engaging portions to engage the guide elements, and a pressure spring for normally maintaining said portions in engaged relation with the guiding elements.

3. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a hollow base, of an upright supporting frame consisting of side pieces mounted thereon, vertically extending flexible guide elements connected with the upper ends and inner faces of the side pieces and extending through the top piece of the base, means for connecting the free ends to the guide elements, and a mail clamp adjustably mounted between the guide elements.

4:. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a hollow base, of an upright supporting. frame consisting of side pieces mounted thereon, flexible guide elements connected with the upper ends of the side pieces of the frame and extending through the top piece of the base, means for adjustably connecting the free ends of the guide elements, a mail clamp mounted to slide between the guide elements and adjusting means for the clamp comprising longitudinally extending clamping members formed with engaging portions to engage the guide members and with upright extensions constituting finger pieces at their inner ends, slidably mounted upon the mail clamp, and a pressure spring arranged between the upright extension of the clamping member.

5. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a supporting base of an upright supporting frame consisting of side pieces mounted thereon, a number of receptacles arranged at the outer face of each of the side pieces, an upright protective casing pivotally mounted upon the base at each side of the frame in position to incase said receptacles and a cover pivotally supported by each of the side pieces in position to incase the upper ends of the protective casings.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN WV. IVALKER. 

